Beverage Container-Mounted Holder for Smoking Products

ABSTRACT

A holder for an elongated smoking product comprises a base portion and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; the base portion further comprises a generally vertical recess defined within the base portion; wherein the cradle is capable of receiving and supporting the elongated smoking product; and wherein the recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical drink container such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to smoking product holders, and particularly to a holder that releasably attaches to the top of a beverage container.

Frequently, individuals that enjoy smoking tobacco products such a cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco vaporizers commonly referred to as e-cigarettes or digital vapor cigarettes smoke their chosen tobacco product while also consuming beverages. For example, some smokers may find that certain beverages—such as scotch, bourbon, or beer—provide a complimentary flavor that enhances the enjoyment of their preferred tobacco products when the beverage and the tobacco products are consumed together.

Unfortunately, when enjoying a smoking product and a beverage at the same time, the individual may find that both of his or her hands are occupied—one with the beverage, and the other with the smoking product. Additionally, since both the beverage and the smoking product are easily portable, the individual may find himself or herself in a place far from an ashtray but needing to free one or both hands to attend to another task. Since smoking products generate heat and can damage the surfaces of furniture or counter tops if placed directly thereon, it may be advantageous to provide a holder upon which to rest the smoking product such that it is elevated above the surface of furniture or counter tops.

Additionally, individuals may find themselves in a social setting where others may also be consuming beverages and/or smoking products. If the individual momentarily sets his or her beverage and/or smoking product aside in next to beverages or smoking products belonging to others, the individual may be confused as to which beverage or smoking product belongs to whom. Thus, it may be advantageous to provide a structure that keeps and individual's beverage and smoking product together in one place, in order to avoid confusion and the dreaded loss of a partially-consumed beverage or smoking product.

Given the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a structure which addresses these and other deficiencies so that an individual may more thoroughly enjoy his or her beverage and smoking product.

SUMMARY

One object of the invention may comprise providing a holder for an elongated smoking product comprises a base portion and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; the base portion further comprises a generally vertical recess defined within the base portion; wherein the cradle is capable of receiving and supporting the elongated smoking product; and wherein the recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical drink container such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.

Another object of the invention may comprise providing a holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising a base portion, and a cradle portion connected to the base portion; the base portion further comprising a generally vertical recess defined within the base portion; the cradle portion further comprising a generally horizontal, upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein the longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin an elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking product in an elevated position above the base portion; and wherein the recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical drink container such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.

Still another object of the invention may comprise providing a holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising a base portion and a cradle portion connected to the base portion; the base portion having a generally cylindrical vertical recess defined within the base portion; the cradle portion further comprising a generally horizontal upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein the longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin the elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking article in an elevated position above the base portion; and wherein the recess further comprises a generally vertical recess wall, the recess wall further comprising at least one resilient retaining member, wherein the at least one resilient retaining member releasably engages an exterior surface of a generally cylindrical drink container received within the vertical recess such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be better understood, embodiments of the beverage container mounted holder for smoking products and methods of use thereof in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit the scope of the present invention as the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practices or of being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention being used to hold a smoking product and being attached to a beverage container; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention being attached to a beverage container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods or devices. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in one embodiment” or “in some embodiments” or “in a preferred embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In addition, the phrase “present invention” or “object of the present invention” does not necessarily refer to nor is intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment or feature described.

In addition, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is mean to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Additionally, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the therm “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the smoking product holder 10 may comprise a base 20 and a cradle 40. The smoking product holder 10 may be formed of various materials, such as lightweight metallic or lightweight plastimerics or polymerics which should provide some level of stiffness without being so rigid as to break during normal use. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, base 20 and cradle 40 are connected to each other by an intermediate connection 60.

In one embodiment, base 20 defines a bottom surface 22 and a top surface 24, an exterior wall 26 therebetween, and a generally vertical axis AV. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, base 20 is a generally cylindrical; however, it may be any suitable shape such as a rectangular, hexagonal, hemispherical, or the like.

In a preferred embodiment, Base 20 further defines a vertical recess 30 therewithin, which has a recess opening 32 defined within bottom surface 22, a recess wall 36 extending generally vertically upward parallel to axis AV towards top surface 24. In one embodiment, recess wall 36 may optionally terminate at a recess ceiling 34, located vertically intermediate recess opening 32 and base top surface 24 along axis AV. In another embodiment, recess 30 may extend along the entire height of base 20 such that recess wall 36 originates at bottom surface 22 and terminates at top surface 24.

Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 2, in a preferred embodiment cradle 40 defines a floor 42 that is connected to base 20 by connection 60 such that cradle 40 is positioned vertically distal from base bottom surface 22. In the embodiment shown cradle floor 42 is connected to base top surface 24 by intermediate connection 60 shown as a generally vertical pedestal; however in other embodiments cradle floor 42 and base top surface 24 may be connected integrally, welded, or connected by other means, such as a bendable flex-arm or the like. Additionally, in still other embodiments, cradle 40 may be connected to base exterior wall 26 and extend generally horizontally outward from base 20 or, alternatively, cradle 40 may extend angularly upward from base 20.

In one embodiment, cradle 40 defines a generally horizontal longitudinal axis AL (FIG. 1) and may have a longitudinal channel 46 running along axis AL and opening generally vertically upward. Cradle 40 may also have two spaced-apart sidewalls 44, 45 that depend generally upward from floor 42. In this embodiment, Floor 42 and sidewalls 44, 45 are preferably all oriented generally parallel to longitudinal axis AL and together define longitudinal channel 46. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, floor 42 and sidewalls 44 and 45 are arranged such that longitudinal channel 46 has a generally U-shaped profile; however, in other embodiments, longitudinal channel 46 may have alternative profile shapes, such as the V-shaped longitudinal channel shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a square profile shape, a semi-circular profile shape, or other appropriate profile shapes.

Turning to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, base 20 is dimensioned such that recess opening 32 and recess wall 36 are sized appropriately to releasably accept an end of a beverage container 70 such that holder 10 is releasably fixed to the beverage container. As shown in the embodiment represented in FIG. 3, beverage container 70 is a typical beer bottle; however, it should be understood that in other embodiments base 20, recess opening 32, and recess wall 36 may all be sized such that recess 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is capable of releasably accepting a variety of different sized beverage containers, including but not limited to aluminum cans, rocks glasses, tumblers, or wine bottles. In yet another embodiment, base 20 may be formed at least in part from a resilient material such as an elastomeric polymer that allows recess opening 32 and recess wall 36 to resiliently deform so as to accommodate a variety of different sized beverage containers. In still another embodiment, base 20 may be adjustable so as to accept a wide variety of different sized beverage containers.

Additionally, in a preferred embodiment cradle 40 is dimensioned such that longitudinal channel 46 is sized appropriately to releasably receive a generally cylindrical elongated smoking product 80 such that the smoking product's longitudinal axis AS is oriented generally parallel to longitudinal axis AL of channel 46. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, cradle 40 is sized appropriately to receive a smoking product 80 represented as a cigar having having a large bore diameter D; however, in other embodiments, longitudinal channel 46 may be sized appropriately to receive a cigarette, an e-cigarette, or other smoking product having a smaller bore diameter than the smoking article 80 depicted in FIG. 3. In an other embodiment, cradle 40 may be sized appropriately such that channel 46 may receive a variety of different smoking articles having a diverse range of bore diameters.

Turning to FIG. 4, another embodiment of holder 110 is shown, having a recess wall 136 may optionally define a circumferential resilient retaining member 138 positioned vertically intermediate recess opening 132 and recess ceiling 134. In one embodiment, retaining member 138 may be a resiliently deformable ridge running along a sufficient portion of recess wall 136 such that retaining member 138 releasably engages a lip 72 from finish region 74 of a traditional bottle 70. As bottle finish region 74 is inserted into vertical recess 130, lip 72 impinges upon and thereby compresses retaining member 138. Once finish region is inserted sufficiently far into recess 130 that lip 72 slips past retaining ring 138, the retaining member resiliently returns to its normal size and shape and thereby forms a compression fit against finish region 74 that releasably secures holder 110 to bottle 70. While not shown in the figures, it should be apparent that in embodiments in which the holder 110 is sized such that recess 130 may accommodate other kinds of beverage containers, retaining member 138 may releasably secure holder 110 to the flange portion of an aluminum can's top or form a compression fit against other beverage containers, such as screw-top bottles, tumblers, or rocks glasses.

The foregoing description of several embodiments and aspects of the invention has been presented for purpose of illustration only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising: a base portion and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; said base portion further comprising a generally vertical recess defined within said base portion; wherein said cradle is capable of receiving and supporting the elongated smoking product; and wherein said recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical drink container such that said holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
 2. The holder of claim 1, wherein said recess further comprises a generally vertical recess wall, said recess wall further comprising at least one resilient retaining member, wherein said at least one resilient retaining member releasably engages an exterior surface of a generally cylindrical drink container received within said vertical recess.
 3. The holder of claim 1, wherein said cradle portion supports the smoking product in an elevated position above said base portion.
 4. The holder of claim 1, wherein said base portion is resiliently deformable.
 5. The holder of claim 1, wherein said cradle portion further comprises a generally horizontal, upward-opening longitudinal channel.
 6. The holder of claim 5, wherein said longitudinal channel is generally U-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
 7. The holder of claim 5, wherein said longitudinal channel is generally V-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
 8. A holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising: a base portion, and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; said base portion further comprising a generally vertical recess defined within said base portion; said cradle portion further comprising a generally horizontal, upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein said longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin an elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking product in an elevated position above said base portion; and wherein said recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical drink container such that said holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
 9. The holder of claim 8, wherein said recess further comprises a generally vertical recess wall, said recess wall further comprising at least one resilient retaining member, wherein said at least one resilient retaining member releasably engages an exterior surface of a generally cylindrical drink container received within said into said vertical recess such that said holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
 10. The holder of claim 8, wherein said base portion is resiliently deformable.
 11. The holder of claim 8, wherein said longitudinal channel is generally U-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
 12. The holder of claim 8, wherein said longitudinal channel is generally V-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
 13. A holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising: a base portion and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; said base portion having a generally cylindrical vertical recess defined within said base portion; said cradle portion further comprising a generally horizontal upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein said longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin the elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking article in an elevated position above said base portion; and wherein said recess further comprises at least one generally vertical recess wall, said recess wall further comprising at least one resilient retaining member, wherein said at least one resilient retaining member releasably engages an exterior surface of a generally cylindrical drink container received within said vertical recess such that said holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
 14. The holder of claim 13, wherein said recess further comprises a generally horizontal recess ceiling, said recess ceiling disposed vertically intermediate said bottom surface of said base portion and said top surface of said base portion.
 15. The holder of claim 13, wherein said base portion is resiliently deformable.
 16. The holder of claim 13, wherein said longitudinal channel further comprises a generally horizontal floor and at least one sidewall depending generally upward from said horizontal floor.
 17. The holder of claim 13, wherein said longitudinal channel is generally U-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
 18. The holder of claim 13, wherein said longitudinal channel is generally V-shaped and generally vertical in orientation. 